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TIBETAN OBJECTS 

Shown by the Newark Museum Associa|i^u J n the 
Public Library Building,\Dec. 6 to Ji 



CATALOG OFOTJE6 

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F R E W 0% 




Over ten years ago a citizen oT*Trowark traveling 
abroad met an American missionary on his way home for 
a well-earned holiday. The Newark citizen was Mr. 
Edward N. Crane; the missionary was Dr. Alfred L. 
Shelton. Dr. Shelton had gathered a collection of objects 
from Tibet, where he was stationed, and Mr. Crane, 
mindful of the interests of his home town, asked him to* 
lend them to the Newark Museum. That is how the 
Tibetan collection came to Newark. About 18,000 people 
saw it then. 

When Mr. Crane died, a year later, his widow and 
brother, moved by his own spirit, and desirous to serve 
Newark in his memory, bought the collection and gave 
it to the Museum. 

Naturally, when Dr. Shelton returned to Batang he 
bore Newark in mind, and obtained other objects to 
round out the Newark collection. 

This second Tibetan collection, and Dr. Shelton himself, 
had a romantic history. En route to the Pacific coast 
they were assailed by a band of Chinese robbers. The 
collection was saved from the robbers; the Doctor was 
held for ransom. After thrilling experiences, the details 
of which are told in the Doctor's book, "Pioneering in 
Tibet," Mrs. Shelton got together once more her husband 
and her boxes, and the journey was resumed. 

And so came to Newark a second Tibetan collection, 
which was also bought, by gifts from other public- 
spirited citizens. And thus we have an exhibit from the 






11. FOREWORD 



heretofore Forbidden Land, notable in amount and in 

interest. 

* * * * 

It would be foolish for a museum as yet without a home 
of its own and temporarily housed in the Public Library 
and in a city within the great Metropolitan district to 
expect either to assemble a large ethnologic collection or 
to specialize on one remote province of the world. Why 
should the Newark Museum have a department covering 
the religious and secular life of these few million people 
in Central Asia? 

The reason lies in two principles familiar to the teach- 
«e*s-of the city : Instruction should go from the known to 
the unknown ; from the particular to the general. These 
people are our cousins. In language, in art, in religious 
customs, in folk-tales and in many customs they show 
us inheritances from our common ancestors of the dis- 
tant past and parallels to the doings of our recent ances- 
tors of Feudal times. And these people are, on the other 
hand, closely allied to the oriental races whom we must 
understand if we are to keep a hand upon the reins which 
shall guide the Great Civilization that is to be. They are 
Buddhists, and know and show the habits of the Oriental 
Mind. From China they have many political and artistic 
traditions; from India their philosophy and aspirations. 

Moreover, they present facts which, united with what 
we know from our ancient histories and of our own 
American Indians, give us an outline from which our 
young people may get the rudiments of the knowledge 
which Pope referred to when he told us: "The proper 
study of mankind is man." The girls and boys of 
Newark should become more intelligent voters because 
Newark's future museum will have a permanent display 
of daily life under Lamaism on the Plateau of Tibet. 



TIBET COLLECTION: CATALOG 

The photographs shown with the objects here listed and 
described were all taken by Dr. Shelton during his 17 
years of residence in Tibet. He selected for the Museum 
three hundred which, in his opinion, best represent 
Tibetan life and Tibetan scenery. Of these only a few 
are shown. v 

1-3. Charm boxes, made of silver, German silver and 
brass, sometimes inlaid with gold. They contain small 
idols, pieces of a lama's clothing, part of a holy man's 
ashes, holy pictures, articles blest by a Great Lama, etc. 
Worn to protect the wearer from demons of misfortune, 
violence, disease and death. They are suspended by a 
strap from the shoulder. 

4-6. Bell, and Thunderbolt or "Dorje", used together. 
A priest rings the bell with one hand to call the god's 
attention, and holds the Thunderbolt, symbol of a god's 
power, in the other and thus drives away from a sick 
person the demons of disease. The patient bears this 
well, for the bells are sweet toned. The covered bell is 
one that is carried to patients by a traveling lama. 

7-8. Trumpets, collapsible, such as a lama takes to the 
sick. He draws one out full length and blows blasts to 
scare disease demons. 

9-11. Medical books, studied by lamas who take the 
medical course at the lamasery in Lhasa. They are 
printed by applying paper, of Tibetan make, upon an 
engraved and inked board, like the one here shown. 
Movable type are not used. The words to be printed are 
first written on thin transparent paper; this is pasted, 
face down, on a board, and the board is then so cut away 



4 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

or carved, as to leave the written characters slightly 
raised; the raised part is then inked and paper pressed 
upon it. 

12. A book of Sayings of the Holy One. Read aloud at 
a patient's house to exorcise the disease demon. The 
reading is accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, drums and 
bells. If the patient is occasionally pinched to keep him 
awake, these measures may result in recovery. 

13. Cymbals. May be carried to the sick and used to 
increase the noise that scares disease demons. 

14. Bony tumor: grew on a human brain. Used as a 
charm to drive away brain diseases. 

15. Bag containing pellets of paper on which are writ- 
ten prayers for recovery. May be swallowed as pills, or 
burned and the smoke inhaled, or the ink washed off and 
the liquid used as a cordial. The cure is effected equally 
well in each way. 

16. Small paintings, in sets according to subjects. A 
lama puts an appropriate selection of these paintings 
into cleft sticks and sets them up in a home or elsewhere. 
They help the faithful as much as would idols, or the 
gods themselves depicted on the cards. 

17. Short sword, usually worn in the girdle and used 
for cutting meat, cutting trees, digging, fighting, etc. 

18. Double sword, long, worn at the side, and used in 
battle. Very rarely is anyone slain with one of these 
swords. 

19. Long sword. 

20. Gentleman's sword. 

21. Tibetan gun, of an old style still in use. The stock 
is Tibetan made, probably the iron barrel also, which is 
bound with brass wire. Also knife case and lock cover 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 5 

of leather. The two prongs are a rest. The soldier sticks 
them into the ground and rests the gun on them, lying 
down to shoot. These are of iron-tipped wood. Origi- 
nally they were horns. Ramrod lacking. 

22. Pouches for powder and bullet pouches. Bullets are 
made of lead, cast in stone moulds, and carried in small 
leather bags. 

23. Powder horns, a charge in each. 

24. Symbol of authority of an old Tibetan ruler who 
ruled under the Great Lama, 140 years ago. Silver. It 
was stolen and hidden by a family in western China for 
many years. It probably contains many little objects 
calculated to bring luck. 

25. Prayer wheel : copper box, mounted on an iron rod, 
and turned as the wind strikes the four cups. Revolving, 
it makes active the prayers written on paper in the box. 

26-28. Prayer hand wheels. Prayers are written many 
times over on paper coiled within the wheel. As the 
wheel turns the prayers are liberated. The owner or 
turner of the wheel thus "acquires merit." The more 
wheels, the more turnings, the more merit. The wind is 
harnessed to liberate prayers, so is the hot air that rises 
from the stove ; and so is water, carried in troughs made 
of tree trunks to run undershot wheels. 

29. A god. He would not have been countenanced by 
Ruddha, who did not believe in a personal god. Six- 
armed to show him more than human. Stands on a pros- 
trate figure triumphant over all present foes. Wears 
heads about his paunch and skulls for a crown to show 
him thus victorious in all times. He may now be fighting 
the foes of Truth and Right, but he was probably taken 
into Lamaism from the devil worship of olden days. 



6 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

30. Buddha, the calm and thoughtful, absorbed in 
thinking how to free men from such foolish fears as today 
in Tibet are born of belief in bad gods. 

31. Chinese god, of wax; seems neither a devil nor a 
superior god, but an embodiment of human traits. 
32-35. Clothing once worn by a "Living Buddha" (there 
are several living Buddhas) when he sat on a pedestal to 
be worshiped. 

36, 37. Apron of carved bones, worn by a lama on a 
festival occasion. The skull-like ornament goes with it. 

38. Hood of a "yellow cap" lama. There are also "red 
cap" lamas. The sects differ perhaps somewhat as do 
some of our Protestant denominations. 

39. Hat worn by an official on festive occasions. 

40. Begging bowl: An exact copy of that of Gotama 
Buddha, founder of Buddhism, who was rich, but chose 
to live on charity. 

41. Pen case and pens; carried by lamas and officials. 
The pens are of bamboo and when worn are whittled off 
as were our quill. pens of former days. 

42. Skull used as a drinking cup by a lama voluntarily 
shut up for life in a dark mountain cave. Probably not a 
lama's skull, for it has not been slit to let the soul out. 

43. Skull bowl of silver. The bowls seem to pass from 
real to imitations and then to idealizations. Is not this 
bowl of chased silver a real skull bowl idealized? 

44. Prayer beads, used somewhat as is a rosary, made 
of discs cut from a human skull. 

45. Trumpet, used by a hermit lama living in a 
cave, as his sole means of self expression, since he never 
speaks. Such a trumpet is most efficacious if made of the 
thigh bone of the mother of the lama who uses it. 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 7 

46. Tsong Kaba, the Martin Luther of Lamaism, who 
reformed its religious customs and established the sect 
of "Yellow Caps." 

47. Charms in boxes. Tibetans exposed themselves to 
English bullets fearlessly because lamas had provided 
them with charms like these. When the wounded were 
asked, "Why didn't your charms protect you?" they said, 
"Your bullets had nickel in them, and we had never 
heard of nickel, so the lamas didn't provide against it. 
Next time you won't hurt us. We shall have the right 
charms." 

48. Tsebong; vessel used for blessing to prevent ill luck. 
A lama places it on your head, saying the proper spell to 
protect one who is ill or is starting on a journey. 

49. Engraving on brass, representing rats vomiting 
charms of great value. Tibetans often use, in religious 
ceremonies, morbid and repulsive things. 

50. Demon god. 

51. Buddha, of Hindu make, with aureole and begging 
bowl. 

52. Droma, the goddess of mercy. 

53. Droma again. Note seal of ownership. Tibetans 
label works of art with the sign of the owner, not of the 
artist. 

54. Goddess with three heads. May sit on a temple 
altar, or be in a private house as a sort of patron saint. 
If the owner sends word to you that this goddess has gone 
to work to kill you, at his earnest request, you will prob- 
ably die. 

55. Gods, male and female. Sometimes worshiped thus 
in pairs. 



8 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

56. Bell rung to call lamas to service, and during service 
also. 

57-68. Bowls for holy water, engraved with symbols or 
inscriptions. 

69. Urn for holy water, with copper base. 

70. Urn for holy water on an inverted lotus base. Note 
that handle is mended with a bit of wood. 

71. Basin for holy water, on a folding tripod. For use 
of a traveling lama. 

72-89. Butter lamps of silver, for use both on altars in 
temples or lamaseries and on family altars in homes of 
the wealthy. 

90. Incense burner of brass. 

91. Offering bowl, placed before an idol. 

92. Censer of brass, in the shape of an elephant. 

93. Bottle for holy water, and dipper for a traveling 
lama. 

94. Bowl for libations, skull shaped; of copper plated 
with silver. 

95. Basin for holy water, of bronze, in form of a skull. 

96. Incense burner. 

97-100. Joss sticks, burned as incense. 

101. Bowl for holy water in form of a skull, its handle 
a thunderbolt. At intervals in the service the officiating 
lama dips his fingers into the bowl and scatters holy 
water. 

102, 103. Vases for holy water. The one without a 
spout is of old Tibetan shape. The other shows the in- 
fluence of the Chinese, who introduced the convenient 
spout. 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 9 

104, 105. Pitchers for holy water used in a baptismal 
service which frees infant and mother from the influence 
of evil spirits. 

106-108. Lamps in which butter is burned with a wick. 
The larger are used in temples, the smaller on altars in 
homes. Poor people make them of clay. Some lamps of 
this type hold 50 pounds of butter. 

109. A Barley box of silver. During the service barley 
is thrown to spirits who may be about. Some poor spirits 
have large stomachs and small throats and are always 
hungry. It is well to feed them often. 

110, 111. Censers of silver, for temple use. 

112. Chorten as old as Buddha, 500 years older than 
the Christian religion. Probably contains relics of some 
holy person obtained when his body was burned. Tibetans 
do not bury their dead or often preserve their ashes. 
They often keep relics of holy persons in chortens. 

113. Chorten of iron. It was probably devoted to the 
worship of some celestial immortal Buddha, who was 
never on earth, hence it is empty. 

114. Chorten of brass, pagoda form, with lotus petal 
base. 

115. Prayer wheel of common type with shell bead on 
which it turns. Held by the handle and revolved. Men 
and women everywhere in Tibet, when not otherwise 
using their hands, whirl these wheels. They either spin 
or whirl prayer wheels as they travel. 

116. Prayer wheel. Note two shell beads or washers 
and a third in process of cutting. A bead is cut only by 
many thousand revolutions. The number of beads per- 
forated shows the religious industry, and heaped-up 
merit, of the owner. 



10 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

117. A prayer wheel like this sits on the table of a 
wealthy person or high official — and only people of 
wealth are high officials — and as he talks to you he does 
not forget occasionally to twirl it. 

118. Trumpet made of a conch shell from India. Blown 
by lamas to control the weather, to announce the arrival 
of the day, or during a funeral. 

119, 120. Trumpets of brass and copper ornamented 
with coral beads. Used in a temple orchestra. 

121. Trumpet made of a thigh bone; silver and brass 
trimmings. Coral and turquoise ornaments, with com- 
mon glass beads. 

122. Bells, rung at intervals during a religious service, 
amid the blare and crash of heavier instruments. 

123. Drum made of crowns of two human skulls. It 
may be so twisted that both the knobs strike at the same 
time. Used in temple orchestra, or alone, during the 
reading aloud of holy writings. 

124. Flute made from wing bone of an eagle. Tibetans 
play also simple * fiddles, jewsharps, and the bagpipe, 
which they seem to have adopted recently. 

125. Cymbals. One is held, turned upward, in each 
hand. 

126, 127. Trumpets of silver for rich lamaseries, lined 
with copper, with gold trimmings, and ending in dol- 
phins. They imitate thigh bones in shape. 

128-131. Trumpets used in orchestra. 

132. Cymbals with leather thong and cotton pads. 

133. Cymbals and case. These with the large trumpets 
make a noise that is musical, to untrained ears, only when 
far distant. 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 11 

134. Sling, used to throw stones at yaks and other 
cattle in driving them. Tibetan girls are experts with 
slings. 

135-138. Finger rings, of false coral, true coral, and 
imitation turquoise. 

139. Earrings for women. Strings over the ears are 
sometimes used to help hold earrings like these — they are 
so heavy that they often pull out. 

140, 141. Head-dress for a woman. The size of silver 
discs and quality of beads indicate wealth of the owner. 
Style differs in different parts of the country. 
142. Earring for a man, rather small. Only one is 
worn, in the left ear. 
143, 144. Hair ornament for a man. 
145. Belt for an idol. Note the use of bottoms of two 
glass snuff bottles. Among the choicest jewels offered to 
an idol may be a beer bottle or a tawdry glass ball such 
as we use on Christmas trees. These are as rare as 
jewels, in Tibet. 

146-149. Teapots, hand hammered. The rug factories 
of Gyantse and the metal works of Derge somewhat cor- 
respond to one of our industrial centers. The skilful 
craftsmanship of these places is widely known. Cara- 
vans visit them, and work from them is sold and ex- 
changed at fairs. A well-to-do family may display a 
dozen or more of these teapots on shelves, and use them 
for guests. 

150-153. Wine flasks of brass from Derge. 
154-156. Holders and covers for teabowls used by 
wealthy Tibetans, who copy the Chinese. 
157. Teapot with sea monsters on handle and spout. 
Unexpected decorations in a country that has no sea 
coast. Probably once the property of a rich lama. 



12 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

158-215. Bowls and plates of brass, for domestic use. 
Pottery is not unknown in Tibet, but its use is not com- 
mon. Bowls and plates of wood are much used by the 
poor. 

216. Bowl of wood, hand-made. 

217. Bowl of wood, machine-made. 

218. Pitcher for wine of iron, inlaid, with brass spout 
and copper chain. 

219-221. Bottles for wine, for a traveler. The "wine" 
is white barley whiskey or brandy. 

222. Pitcher for wine with brass mountings; seams 
stopped with pitch. 

223, 224. Teabowls of jade, used by the wealthy. 
225-228. Bowls, silver lined. No. 231 commonly used 
for drinking tea by those who can carry in their blouses 
something better than a bowl of wood. 

229. Sugar ; reported to be such as is used by well-to-do 
and courageous Tibetans. No American has tested it ! 

230, 231. Churn in which buttered tea is mixed. 

232. Flint and steel, and pouch, commonly used for fire 
making. Matches are sometimes obtained through trade 
and are highly prized. 

233. Snuff box of carved wood. 

234. Snuff horn. 

235. Pipe for smoking, of good make. 

236. A katag. A visitor hangs it over his host's neck 
as he enters a home. These are of several degrees of 
weight and fineness, and are used as visiting cards. 

237. Rope of yak hair, used by executioner to tie hands 
of criminals behind their backs when they are to be be- 
headed. 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 13 

238. Beheading knife. Beheading is a much milder 
punishment than the boiling alive which we are told was 
inflicted by the Chinese on some of the Tibetans who 
rebelled. 

239, 240. Arrows with whistling tips of wood and bam- 
boo shafts. Used for shooting at a mark. 

241. Quiver containing seven arrows. 

242. Gun, rather well made. Barrel bound with silver 
wire. Trimmings of silver. Horn prongs for a gun 
rest, decorated with brass and silver. Ramrod, iron. 

243. Gun, made at Derge, stock inlaid with bone. With 
guns like these the Tibetans met the English military 
expedition to Lhasa, in 1904. Younghusband, the Eng- 
lish leader, said, "It is the Middle Ages facing the 20th 
century." 

244. Buddha, an idol of metal. A few Tibetan figur- 
ines are of wax, and at certain seasons many are of 
butter. 

245. Saddle, decorated with silver and gold-plated 
brass. Stirrups, of iron, have gold and silver inlay. 

246. Ink pot and cover, brass. 

247. Pen case and cover, pierced iron work. 

248. Ewer for holy water, brass. 

249. Dagger of brass with point of steel, a ceremonial 
weapon. 

250-254. Vases, of bronze. 

255. Dorje or thunderbolt, of brass. 

256. Mirror, of brass. 

257. 258. Bottle and dipper for holy water. 
259. Bowl in the form of a skull, of silver. 



14 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

260-262. Molds of metal for casting idols of clay. The 
idols are baked in the sun. One who makes them acquires 
merit. 

263. Cloth, undyed, woven by Tibetans and used for 
warm weather clothing. 

264. Belt used to fasten a garment about the waist, 
converting the upper part into a blouse. Tibetan weaving. 

265. Apron of yak hair, worn by actors. 

266-268. Textiles. Apparently Tibetan. They seem to 
be : Silk, block-printed, similar to curtains used to cover 
paintings; linen; cotton, with coloring which seems 
similar to our tie-and-dye. 

269. Garters, hand woven, for holding up long tops of 
boots. Also used in casting lots. 

270. Commission, written on yellow silk brocade in 
Tibetan, Manchurian and Chinese characters, and sent 
by Emperor of China to Prince of Batang. Folded back 
and forth into the shape of a book. Valuable document. 

271-294. The Kanjur, in 24 hand-written volumes. 
This Kanjur corresponds to our Bible, and consists, when 
complete, of 108 volumes. 

295. Je Dem, a synopsis of the Kanjur, written by hand. 
The letters in high relief are done in wax and gilded. The 
periods on the title page are pearls. When the "Living 
Buddha, " who owned it, took it out to read aloud for the 
benefit of patients, he inscribed on the parchment wrap- 
pings the names of their respective families. This was 
part of the wedding dowry of a princess who married a 
Prince of Batang. 

295.1. Book; with original wood binders and strap. 
This contains several brief works, among which are 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 15 

prayers read for the dead, those read at a marriage, also 
soothsayers' formulas. 

295.2-15. Tibetan scriptures in fourteen volumes; the 
precepts of Buddha without comment. These volumes, 
which are about 400 years old and were probably written 
in Lhasa, represent the work of one man for perhaps two 
years or more. Such books are in the possession of the 
more wealthy people or of lamaseries only. Little writing 
is done now in gold and silver like this. The scriptures 
are generally printed in red ink on unglazed paper, from 
blocks on which the characters are cut. 
295.16-17. Two volumes, comprising selections from the 
precepts of Buddha ; also some of the services which are 
read during different religious ceremonies. 

295.18. Volume containing ancient legends written in 
silver. 

295.19. Second volume of a two-volume set. This 
volume contains legends of prehistoric times; of condi- 
tions which were supposed to have obtained before the 
sun, moon and stars were created, when man gave forth 
his own light. 

296. Prayers, written by hand, used by black-cap lamas 
in the service for the dead. 

297, 298. Inkstand and ink bottle. Chinese or Indian 
ink is ground in water, and poured upon silk or cotton 
waste in the bottle so that it may be used by pressing on 
it with the pen, but may not spill. 

299. Tsong Kaba, gold-plated, holding a book. 

300-303. Seals of brass and iron. No document is valid 

unless sealed. The sealing wax is made of boiled cow 

skin. 

304, 305. Sealing wax. 



16 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

306. Pen case and cover with five wooden pens. 

307. Knife, of the kind usually carried in the belt. 

308. Saw, used by carpenter. The English who em- 
ployed Tibetan carpenters at Gyantse were astonished at 
what they did with simple tools. Missionaries advise 
that they always be paid, not by time, but by the job. 
Then if they spend a few hours in sharpening a saw — 
well and good. 

309. 310. Combs of wood. 

311. Box for butter. Refrigerators are not needed! 

312. Lock and key, of iron. 

313. Demon god adorned with snakes. 

314. Buddha on a lotus base, gilded. Note turquoise in 
forehead. 

315. Dorje, gilded, once used as part of an ornamental 
strip on the base of an idol. 

316-319. Reliefs in copper, gold-plated. Parts of the 
same decoration as. 315. 

320. Mace handle, iron and silver. 

321. Dog demon, stone. Though a demon, beautiful. 

322. Foo dog, dragon, in jade. 

323. 324. Brush holders of carved jade. 

325. Cup of carved jade. 

326. Plaques of carved ivory on a lotus pedestal. 

327. 328. Droma; statuettes. 

329. Goddess, decorated with jade, coral and blue 
stones. 

330. Goddess, with an aureole decorated with silver 
wire and turquoise. 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 17 

331-336. Gown, waist worn under the gown, waistband, 
boots, apron, and handkerchief, all of child's size, and 
such as are commonly worn. 

337-339. Satin brocades, decorated with Chinese drag- 
ons. Used as chair and table coverings. A present to 
a princely family of Tibet from a Chinese Emperor. 

340. Curtain for a door, of satin brocade, belonging to 
a wealthy lama. Fine furnishings are imported by the 
wealthy, chiefly from China. 

341, 342. Chair decorations of coarse Chinese work. 

343. Coat of brocade from India, faced with Chinese 
silk brocade, fur edged. Belonged to a high class Tibetan 
family ; but was not worn by a lama, as the grease on the 
back proves. Lamas are shaven. 

344. Coat of Chinese brocade (Chien Lung, 1775-1776) . 
Traces of fur on edge. 

345. Chinese Coat, Chinese (Chien Lung) ; fine tapes- 
try brocade. Ornaments are five-toed dragons, clouds, 
bats, waves. Border of chrysanthemums. 

346. Coat, Chinese (Chien Lung). 

347. Skirt, Chinese. Note patches. 

348. Dress of high quality, such as people keep in 
chests and bring out at New Year's time, and finally be- 
queath to heirs. Note panels of pleated skirt. Tibetans 
economize in material, but are lavish of labor. 

349. Saddle blanket of broadcloth; applique decora- 
tions. 

350. Saddle blanket, used on fine occasions, of decorated 
felt. 

351. Bridle, crupper and strap. Jointed bit. Rings in- 
laid with gold and silver. 



18 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

352. Saddle and harness. Short pieces of rawhide; 
fish scale braiding. 

353. Bridle. 

354-363. Coins, worth about 10 or 20 cents each> 
Rather than use their own minted money the Tibetans 
prefer to cut the Indian rupee into quarters for change. 
364-376. Paintings, all representing the same goddess. 

377-387. Paintings of Buddha shown in many different 
aspects and surroundings. 

388-391. Fortune telling charts, painted. 
392-398. Paintings of gods, goddesses and demons. 
399-401. Paintings of Tsong Kaba, the reformer of 
Buddhism, who lived about the time of Martin Luther. 

402-407. Other religious paintings. 

408 SCROLL ON YELLOW SATIN 

Commission from the government at Lhasa to the Second 

Prince in command residing at Batang. 

Date 1716. 

Translation by Dr. A. L. Shelton. 

This and 4.09 are documents of no small interest, as 
translations show. They suggest much concerning the 
manner of thought of the educated Tibetan. 

The Emperor of China, in whom dwells the great god 
spirit and who is great and most high, in his desire that 
all men everywhere be useful and their happiness in- 
crease and that Tibet obtain and grow in favor, himself 
has allowed this injunction : — 

That all men who are evil and mischievous and of ad- 
verse faith and engaged in wrathful rebellion shall all 
be annihilated, and the men of Tibet who with favor 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 19 

shall attain this end shall gain glory, renown and praise 
at this time for being obedient. 

Sent out at this time by a great Tibetan king who had 
the sacred books carved in Lhasa ; and by this holy man, 
whose glory and fame are very great, this Commission is 
sent forth. So he says : 

(Here appears the seal of the sender.) 

All those who have been disciplined by religion in the 
god's sphere of the spiritual world under Tsong Kaba, 
the most holy ; in this province of snow among the worlds, 
its surface occupied by all classes of gods and men ; from 
the great teacher Tsong Kaba, to the great and small 
Believers great and true, Priests who perform sacrifices, 
King's subjects and all, Chinese, Tibetans, and wild 
tribes belonging under this great official head, Take 
Heed: All kinds of men, land holders, those who hold 
the worship fields (fields for the priests), the prefect, all 
who are in power, everyone who is born or walks, and the 
common people particularly: 

There are four divisions of Tibet, and the one division 
from Lhasa to Batang is divided into its six valleys : Also 
from the center, Lhasa, of god's kingdom, the kingdom 
of men and all Lamas, head men, great and small resid- 
ing in the kingdom ; 

Your work of stewardship, grasp, and be peaceful not 
turbulent ; and by the succeeding officials shall this com- 
mission be heeded. Also all and every one, soldiers, rob- 
bers, travellers, merchants and pilgrims, great and low 
and the middle class, especially at Batang, and those 
residing in the forts there and having rule over the dis- 
trict and doing their work in the circle of succession; 



20 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

Also all divisions of the doctrinal kingdom, Lamas and 
laymen, are to assemble at the sound of these words : 

And all those under the officials at Batang, subject to 
the 2nd Prince who gives you this command from the 
Superior, the great Dalai Lama who is now in his 5th 
incarnation under the Buddhist flag of victory residing 
at Lhasa. 

To you the responsibility of all worship money and 
gifts is given, and you are to be pure, and to your infe- 
riors pay is to be given for service rendered, and this is 
a fixed meaning and, if not obeyed, the red and black 
god and goddess will punish you. Your official, the 2nd 
Prince, will note this carefully and see it fulfilled. 

The report of troubles here arising must be reported 
to Pekin, and in the 7th year of the Emperor's reign it 
was so done ; but turbulence still continuing, an official in 
the 11th year of reign was sent from Pekin to see to this 
division of land, and to the governing of the border, and 
to granting of titles of land and homes. 

This was done under the Emperor Kiang Shi in the 
55th year of his reign ; the division of houses, fields, serv- 
ants, male and female, without manifestation of strife 
was to be made, and each and all given his part of ground 
and fields each his own, and to each family; and as to 
such, when the division is made, the 2nd Prince will be 
security therefor, and will be responsible that not so 
much as by one hair will the settlement be violated, and 
will be the Judge and will make the division at this time ; 
and the division so made will be recorded with the great 
Dalai Lama, who in his 5th incarnation resides at Lhasa. 

This command was given in the wood-rabbit year, and 
this document given according to custom. 

This also the 2nd Prince shall have power to do, for all 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 21 

necessary purposes to name the fields and houses for 
official use, and shall place them with those discharging 
official duties; This will be confirmed; also, pure clean 
gifts will be given to those assisting in this division and 
in the work of division, without harm or strife. 

Then taxes for war, a tax of work and for new bur- 
dens, shall be asked, and by word of mouth; go not a 
crooked road, using unsuitable language which will not 
serve the right. Those that go upon feet, all subjects, 
and upon the serving race, male and female, their small 
fields and cattle and homes and all small servants and 
heads counted from each and all, no race tax is allowed ; 

This agreement is given and must not be broken, as it 
is truly given, also the covenants must not be broken. 

All who have heard now, and all under their head 
officials, body and all, must do according to the custom 
and not go upon a wrong road. Neither must a servant 
be rude to an official, nor an official cruel to his inferior. 
Poor subjects should be looked after, lest they go astray, 
and should be remembered in kindness and not treated 
cruelly. As the sun shines first on the tops of the hills, so 
they look for kindness from them who are above them. 
For judgment in a case, go to your own official and not 
to anyone outside. If in your group of your officials 
there is one you do not want, go to two other officials and 
let them judge and quickly finish the case ; if that remedy 
will not serve, take him to the Yamen and have him 
punished. If there are none at his back to aid him, let 
him be banished; there is to be no strife, but all is to be 
done quickly. 

As long as life shall last, this 2nd Prince shall hold 
his place ; at his death his son shall succeed him and his 
son's son shall follow him. 



22 TIBETAN OBJECTS 

To you, — all happiness seize, thus understanding your 
duty, — this stray letter is given in the iron-monkey year 
and sent to all quarters from the celestial palace, in the 
circle of religion. 

At Lhasa, the Government House of Gold — this is 
written. 

(Follows the seal of the King, by the authority of the 
Dalai Lama). 

409 SCROLL ON YELLOW SATIN 

With border of Blue Silk, lined with printed cotton. 

Commission to the Lamasery at Batang, issued about 
the year 1776 by the Lama, Jang Sha (his Chinese name), 
who was chief Lama in Pekin and head of Buddhism in 
China under the Emperor Chien Lung. 

Translation by Dr. A. L. Shelton. 

Thus it is commissioned by the great god's spirit, dwell- 
ing in the Most High, through the Great Lama Jang Sha, 
who is commissioned by Hapotuber (Buddha) the most 
holy, noble and absolute in divine wisdom; to those who 
believe in the perfect all-covering mercy of Buddhism 
throughout the kingdom; says: — 

(Here the private seal of Jang Sha.) 

To all men, high and low, Lamas and common people, 
whoever hear, grasp my meaning : 

You who reside in the Lamasery "Geden Pendaling" at 
Batang: To you who are Lord and Chief and the 2nd 
Buddha of the age, declaring the doctrine to believing 
hearers, also to the excellent superior Lamas who are 
believers and to all you who have resided there for many 
years, listen: 



TIBETAN OBJECTS 23 

To all those who have attained the highest point in all 
Lamaseries; to this class of religionists, by me, before 
being born as Jang Sha Ralphe Dorje, from this body of 
a former time, comes this injunction: Sent by me to all 
religious houses and people is this truth, that: 

Their souls are made white and declaring that there is 
nothing higher to be attained, having reached this great 
open door of Buddhism. The precious Jewel residing 
there in his 2nd reincarnation is to keep and guard these 
necessary articles and carefully to observe them. To 
keep from all struggle and strife, not disagreeing, and 
on this road go all your life and do according to this 
custom as it is ordered. 



In the name of the three gods, from sea to sea, in great 
mercy at his command, this request is accordingly given 
and this you will understand. 

Given accordingly from the throne under the enlight- 
ened victorious banner of Buddhism in the 16th year of 
his reign, first month and 21st day. So it is written. 

(Jang Sha's governmental seal.) 

410. CHINESE EMBROIDERY, WITH WRITING 

Obtained by Dr. Shelton from the former Prince 
of Batang. 

Description kindly furnished by Shigo Obata 
of New York. 
This was given in 1761 to an old lady, by a young 
kinsman, on her 90th birthday, an occasion of "great 
felicity." The writing consists of the Chinese ideograph 
SHOU in 90 different forms, and means "age," or "long 
life." A Chinese ideograph expresses a notion or idea, 
and not a sound. 



24 , TIBETAN OBJECTS 

The embroidered picture at the top is that of the 
"Peach Flower Valley," an abode of the immortals, of 
whom Shou Hsing with his exceptionally long forehead is 
a representative very familiar to all Chinese. 

The old lady who received this as a gift is described 
on it as: "Great honorable lady, Wei, (mother of Mr. 
Chai, who is waiting to be made an An-jen, or Prefect, 
by Imperial appointment), a pattern of womanhood." 

The donor is named "Tai Teyeh, who has passed the 
government examination and is also waiting to be made 
a Prefect." 

It is evident that all the persons here mentioned were 
well-born and well-to-do. Not everybody in China can 
afford to give or deserves to receive so costly a gift. 



From the Rockwell Collection of Oriental art 
objects, the following of Tibetan origin are 
shown : 

411-460. Household gods, representing Buddha, to be 
set up in shrines and worshiped. Made of terra cotta, 
in the Chien Lung era, 3 inches high. 
461-464. Paintings. 

NOTE: Comments, explanatory and descriptive, on the paint- 
ings and books in the collection have been made by Mr. Albert 
E. Andre, and the Museum expects at some later date to make 
these available in printed form. 



